WITSUP women in triathlon WITSUP

It’s time to say goodbye to Witsup. The thing is, I don’t want to write “it’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye … “ because my heart has done so much heavy lifting the last few weeks, if not months, as I have come to the incredibly tough decision to close down WITSUP and move on.

I want to say that I’m finally in a space that it’s with a light and happy heart that I can close this chapter, be excited about the next one and truly celebrate all of the awesomeness that WITSUP has achieved over a decade.

From day one, WITSUP was a fight for improving the media landscape and the community for women in triathlon and sport, and we achieved so much in this space. But, for me, I now need to move on and find what lights my fire again.

We decided to give WITSUP a send off via a podcast, so if you want to join us for an emotional trip down memory lane, we asked some of our faves to help share some stories.
Hot tip: Don’t edit your own finale podcast - it was brutal, but a beautiful thing. Thanks to Linsey Corbin, Belinda Granger, Mirinda Carfrae, Laura Siddall, Jordan Blanco, Meredith Kessler, Caroline Steffen, Rachel Joyce and Lizzy Blatchford.

So what’s next? I’m not entirely sure, but I know I’ll dive in with the passion and drive I had when we launched WITSUP. And stay tuned, maybe the podcast will be back but will just be slightly different. Who knows. But firstly, and most importantly, I’m going to change the batteries in Frankie’s toy that I’ve been telling her I’ll do for weeks, steal a few extra cuddles, and probably have a gin.

Thank you everyone so so much for all of your support over the years. It’s been a hell of a ride.

This is a very special podcast episode for me. Julie 'Dibs' Dibens is the guest that I have hounded for years to join me on the podcast, but she just isn't a fan of the limelight or talking about herself, so always evaded me. But finally, I wore her down. The white whale for the Witsup podcast, has been caught.

Dibs was one of the first athletes I became a super fan of. I loved her badass style of racing and her resilience. Then I met her, and I added smartass to the list of things I loved. Then when people started approaching her in Kona asking her if she was Stef from Witsup, my mind was blown! Apparently we're twins! (I think I won out in that scenario). I started as a fan of the athlete, Julie Dibens, and I'm now honoured to call Dibs a friend.

Dibs is now a brilliant coach, but it took her a while to settle into that role after her racing career ended earlier than she hoped due to injury. She was successful over middle and long distance racing, Xterra and was an Olympian - not many athletes have those bragging rights, and even though Dibs does, she doesn't brag. Except for when it comes to any time that she has toweled up Rinny.

She's a no bullshit kind of person, but with a heart of gold. This was most definitely a full circle kind of moment for me.

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10
eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

There are so many things to rate and love about Jacqui, from her bubbly personality, her commitment to embracing that suitcase life, her friendliness, she was a firefighter (top three badass and coolest jobs in my opinion), her success at on and off road triathlon, and she now finally loves dogs - until this moment, we didn't rate her, obviously, ha!

Jacqui and her husband, Ben, are the pin up triathletes for creating a traveling/racing lifestyle, and making it work for them. They've slept on many a stranger's couch and have lived off the smell of an oily rag in the past, but always found ways to give back to the community and their sponsors/partners. It's easy to love to Allens, and by the end of this episode, you'll see why.

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10
eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

In between TT comps, triathlons, thoughts of chasing Olympic goals (that's an exclusive for you) and dog walkies, Kim Morrison found some time to catch up with us, and we are stoked that she did.

We discover that the triathlon world can thank her Mum's love of reading as the reason Kim stepped into the world of swim, bike and run. Seems like a strange leap to go from reading a book to professional racing, but once you find out that the book was Chrissie Wellington's, A Life Without Limits, it all starts to make sense. However, we can't help but wonder, what if her Mum was reading Touching The Void by Joe Simpson, or, True Spirit by Jessica Watson - would we see her tackle an icy rock face, or exchange a TT bike for a life jacket instead?

We find out that Kim has been driven a lot by people telling her that she can't do something, and we know this feeling all too well. From taking up mathematics at uni, to her sporting endeavours, just try to tame this ball of energy, we dare you.

Loved getting to know Kim and her dogs a little better. A big take away from this chat is that if you're going to jump off the cliffs at the End of the World in Kona, take Rob, Susie Cheetham's husband with you, he's the master of ocean jewellery retrieval.

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10
eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

Loved reconnecting with Danish superstar, Helle Frederiksen! It’s been too long since we’ve caught up with Helle and so much has happened between chats. As she’s moved on to the next chapter after professional triathlon we can tell she hasn’t slowed down one bit. We chat 40th birthday debauchery, becoming a coach, her new book, and most importantly, her new pup, Milo!

We’re inspired by her vulnerability as she shares the highs and lows of her triathlon career including moments that she had tried to forget. But when you're putting pen to paper to write your own story, memories resurface.

Helle's book, The Pursuit Of Victory - https://shop.ourkollektiv.com/

Quote highlights include:

“We think we can take everything on, but sometimes you have to be realistic.”

“There are so many stories to be told and so many vulnerable moments that I've been going through where I really expose myself and show what’s behind the scenes.”

“Sometimes life happens.”

“I realised I needed someone to lean on and keep me safe.”

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10
eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup

We chat with the emerging Superstar Kat Matthews about her journey in sport from the British military and as a physio. She has taken the past year as an opportunity to grow in the sport with multiple breakthrough performances despite the pandemic.

We applaud her for speaking out about body image in sport. As one of the fastest runners on the long-distance triathlon circuit, she opens up about how even she at times isn’t immune to feeling that she doesn’t feel like a runner, because she doesn’t look a certain way. And the importance of trying to change this narrative amongst everyone.

Get to know the flying Kat and follow her through her already booming career as a professional triathlete.

Quotes highlights include:

“It’s very relevant to a lot of people. Whatever gender or size. You don’t feel like your aesthetics are good enough to label yourself as a runner. I wanted to raise my personal story and awareness.”

“If someone thinks they need to look a certain way, they’re striving for a goal that’s not authentically driven. It’s aesthetics driven.”

“I’m not driven by thinking that this is my career. I’m driven by getting better and performing. I genuinely just enjoy the motivation, inspiration and action cycle.”

“There’s not one right way. We need to adjust and adapt.”

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EAT FOR YOU GIVE A BIT PROGRAM - code WITSUP10
eatforyou.com.au/

Use the code WITSUP10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Plus, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that for each box sold with this code, a bar is donated to a local community organisation who needs our support.

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SUPPORT WITSUP - for as little as USD $5 a month become a Witsup member - www.patreon.com/witsup